La Joya, TX - Across the country, educators and community leaders are working to encourage more young girls to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) - fields where women have historically been underrepresented but continue making groundbreaking contributions.
At La Joya ISD, that mission came to life as fifth-grade girls from campuses across the district gathered for a day dedicated to exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning.
This Texas Girls in STEM Day, La Joya ISD hosted its fourth annual STEM expo - an event designed to to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Hundreds of young learners stepped into a world of discovery, curiosity, and possibility as the district celebrated Texas Girls in STEM Day at the La Joya ISD Wellness Center.
Hosted by the district’s Office of Academics & School Leadership and the Math and Science Department, the event featured more than 20 interactive STEM stations where students engaged in activities designed to spark curiosity and introduce them to real-world applications of science and technology.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a variety of engaging experiences - from engineering challenges to science demonstrations - while learning about the many career pathways available in STEM-related fields.
“This event is all about giving our students the chance to explore, ask questions, and see how exciting STEM can be,” said Brenda Garcia, Executive Director of K-12 Mathematics & Science for La Joya ISD. “When girls are given opportunities like this to experiment, collaborate, and think critically, it helps build confidence and shows them that they belong in these spaces. Our goal is to spark that curiosity early and help them begin imagining themselves in careers that can shape the future.”
For many students, the experience opened their eyes to possibilities they had never considered before.
Fifth-grade student Alexa Iglesias said her favorite activity involved creating a lava lamp experiment, but what stood out most was the chance to explore new ideas.
“I liked that we got to go to different stations and try different things,” Iglesias said. “It helped me learn about jobs I didn’t really know about before. Now I think I might want to be a teacher or someone who does science experiments and math when I grow up.”
Events like Texas Girls in STEM Day highlight La Joya ISD’s commitment to creating engaging learning experiences that empower students to explore their interests and discover new possibilities. It fulfills Priority 3 of the district’s strategic plan, which focuses on Thriving Students. By introducing STEM concepts at an early age, the district hopes to inspire students to pursue careers in fields that continue to shape the world through innovation, technology, and scientific discovery.
As students left the event filled with new ideas and inspiration, the message of the day remained clear: when young girls are encouraged to explore STEM, they gain the confidence to dream bigger, think boldly, and imagine themselves as the innovators of tomorrow.